Electrical conductivity of milk: measurement, modifiers, and meta analysis of mastitis detection performance.

The physics, physiology, and pathology of electrical conductivity of milk are described. Based on a meta analysis, the use of electrical conductivity as a mastitis detection tool is discussed. Most reports were based on subclinical mastitis data. The gold standards of the different reports are discussed. With an overall sensitivity of 66% and an overall specificity of 94%, the predictive value of a positive electrical conductivity test remains low in a low prevalence population. The use of on-line systems for clinical mastitis detection is discussed. On-line systems that combine multiple data and perform multifactorial analyses will be of interest to the dairy industry.